Coach Amelia Pierce
September 06, 2011 9:37 PM
Dance Instruction for All Ages by Coach Amelia Pierce
Amelia Pierce stood in the center of MARS Room Three with John Fawcett next to her. Each of the four common room bulletin boards had boasted advertisements for Dancing Lessons for the last week and now the two instructors were waiting to see who arrived for them.That she'd been asked to lead this class came as little surprise to her. As Quidditch Coach she was the default instructor when it came to physical activities, which is what dance qualified as more so than anything any of the other professors specialized in. Plus, she'd been raised a New Hampshire Pierce which meant she'd learned to dance at about the same time she had learned to walk and ride a broom. (Back then, WAIL hadn't existed yet so it hadn't been nearly as improper for a girl to fly as it was today.) Also, she'd given the lessons four years ago, before the last dance, so it was practically a given that Sadi would ask her to reprise that role.
She wasn't quite sure what John had done to deserve this, but they'd done some practice together in preparation for today's lesson and he seemed to know what he was doing. Someday, she was sure, she'd learn that John Fawcett was complete rubbish at something, but it hadn't happened yet.
One wall of the room they stood in was lined with mirrors. Amelia took a few moments to make sure her hair and gown hadn't become mussed since the last time she checked, but they both would have met her mother's exacting standards. If she was going to teach eleven to seventeen year olds how to deport themselves at a Renaissance Ball, she was going to do it right. She'd even worn make-up.
The barre along the wall opposite the mirror would probably not be used for much other than holding the shawl she'd already draped over the far end, but it did a good job of reminding anyone who looked at it that this was a Dance Room. The great expanse of hardwood that they'd be spinning around today just wouldn't have the same intensity of purpose without it.
As the students began arriving singly, in pairs, and in groups she began sorting them. "If you already have a partner, stand on that side of the room," she pointed over near her shawl. "Otherwise, girls next to the mirror, boys next to the wall."
Once the kids stopped trickling in and it seemed they had all they would have for the optional class, Amelia glanced over the group of boys and girls, determined that they were not quite even (hardly surprising) but they had enough of each that they weren't going to need to break up couples.
"We've got an uneven distribution, so if you don't have a partner at the beginning of a dance, let the people who do have a minute to practice then you can ask to cut in. If you do have a partner and see someone not participating, I promise your current partner will not mind it if you want to step on someone else's toes for a little while." She smiled a little to show she was joking. "We want everyone to have a chance to try out the dances we'll be learning today."
"We'll start with a simple waltz," she continued, moving into the meat of the lesson. "The waltz has been referenced as early as the 16th century, which as you all know by now, is the theme for this year's ball, so it's both appropriate to the historical time period as well as being one of the most popular ballroom dances taught today."
"Waltz is a smooth graceful dance characterized by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and a rising and falling motion. It's slow, so don't rush it. There's a couple of basic steps that you'll be using. We're going to start with the left box turn."
"But first," she moved to stand in front of John. "You need to get into hold. Like this." They clasped hands, her right in his left, as she straightened her spine and rested her left hand on his right elbow while his right hand supported her left elbow. "Now, girls, you will be stepping back with your right foot. Boys, step forward with your left. You're moving in the shape of a box, that's why its called the box step. So your next step is to the side. Girls, you go with your left foot. Boys, with your right." She and John demonstrated as she spoke.
"Now, bring your feet together. Then, girls, you step forward with your left foot, boys backwards with your right. Then another side step to return where you were; girls step with your right, boys with your left. Then close. That's six steps. We'll start spinning after you get those down. Now pair up if you didn't bring a partner with you, and let's try it."
Once everyone seemed sorted into pairs of one boy and one girl, Amelia turned on the music and started calling out, "Boys, Forward left. Side right. Side left. Back right. Side left. Side right. Girls, follow the boy's lead. Let's do it again. Boys. Forward left. Side right. Side left. Back right. Side left. Side right. One more time. Forward left. Side right. Side left. Back right. Side left. Side right. Now try it on your own."
Some of the kids were definitely getting it better than others. She decided to give them a few more measures to work it out before she started going around to tell them they were doing it wrong.
Subthreads: I'll just start out by apologizing in advance. [Marrissa] by Andrew Duell with Marissa Stephenson
And....we <i>Dance</i> by Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren with Laurie Stratford, Kitty
Waltz of the Wallflower by Cherry Bosko
Seeking Single Advanced Class Female by Daniel Nash with Alison Sinclair
Dancing for Fun by Derry Four with Jessica Applerose
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Coach Amelia Pierce
Dance Instruction for All Ages
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Coach Amelia Pierce
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Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren
September 11, 2011 4:18 PM
And....we <i>Dance</i> by Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren
Giddiness made each step feel light as Kitty skipped to the MARS rooms. She was wearing a long dark green dress that fell about the same way as her costum did. Because she wanted to keep it a surprise, she didn't ware it now, but this would allow her to get a feel for dancing in a long dress. The sleves weren't the same, these were short, but she didn't think that sleeves would play a big part in dancing anyway, just the skirts.Kitty had never learned how to dance for real. This was going to be so much fun! Her long black curls had been pulled up into a high playful tail to keep them out of her face. Going to a real life ball made the tiny girl feel like she'd just stepped into a fairytail. Well, this whole new world made her feel like that on a regular basis, but something aobut a ball just made the feeling all the more prominant.
So when she saw the bulitan to learn how to dance, Kitty coudln't get the image of Beauty and the Beast dancing out of her mind. I want to dance like that! Kitty thought with excitment. Moving gracefully over the dance floor in perfect harmony with her dance partner. But, she had no idea how to dance like that, and so she was determined to do well in this class, and learn the steps.
Entering the room bright blue eyes scanned the faces of the other students. Some were as excited as herself, while others looked decidedly nervous. Kitty wondered why, these were just lessons after all. It didn't seem like anything to be stressed out about to her. With a happy smile, eyes glittering with antisipation Kitty took her place by the mirror.
Watching the two professors made her sigh at their gracefullness, it was just like the movies. But, she didn't let herself get caught up in how well they danced, she focused on the instructions and the steps she'd have to perform soon. After the instructions were given and she thought she had her part memorized Kitty looked over to the boy's side for a partnerm.
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Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren
And....we <i>Dance</i>
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Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren
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Laurie Stratford
September 11, 2011 6:29 PM
On with the dance! let joy be unconfined. by Laurie Stratford
Laurie didn’t need the dance lessons, his grandmother had made sure he knew how to dance since he started to walk. Being a good dancer was part of the Pureblood doctrine that had been inculcated in the young Pureblood since he could remember. The Teppenpaw thought it would be fun to attend the class, he was always in for a good time, and even when he wasn’t an expert dancer, he found dancing to be fun. Laurie was always up for a good time. Plus, he had more energy than most and could use some kind of exercise to try and burn it. He was always looking for activities that could help him concentrate his energy on something positive, and dancing was definitely such an activity.The redheaded Teppenpaw was excited about the Ball at the end of the year, it would be the first time he would actually attend one. His family held parties, but he usually was confined in a room with the other children, a Ball for children had to very different from a Ball for adults. He was actually looking forward to see what this would bring. Laurie loved new experiences.
He had owled home and requested an awesome costume for the Ball. His mother had complied and got it for him. He already had it stocked away in his room. The costume consisted of tights, the dress-like shirt and a short cape, completed with a hat, all in black and gold. He grinned just thinking about all the fun he would have, he would talk all night in a fake accent and all. The only thing that was missing for the night was a date, and he already had someone in mind. Kitty would be the perfect partner to have fun with, they were so much alike, that he was sure she would dress-up as well, or he hoped she would.
Laurie was humming all the way to MARS, just in the nick of time to be on time for the class. He smiled when he saw Kitty there, he walked towards her and stayed silent while Coach Pierce and Professor Fawcett gave an explanation of what they would be learning, waltzing was easy and fun. He just sneakily stayed a little bit out of Kitty’s sight, determined to scare her as a joke. When she looked to her side, Laurie stepped into her line of sight and gave a big dramatic bow, “Me Lady,” he managed say between giggles. He straightened and offered her his arm, “Would you give me the pleasure of this piece?” his accent was fake, his tone and movements overly dramatized for the desired effect. A smile ever present on his face, this was beginning to be more fun than he had anticipated.
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Laurie Stratford
On with the dance! let joy be unconfined.
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Laurie Stratford
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Kitty
September 11, 2011 8:03 PM
Happily learning a new skill by Kitty
A tiny eeep of surprise escaped Kitty when Laurie appeared next to her like magic. The surprise gave way to a happy laugh at Laurie’s antics. Wobbling just a little at the unfamiliar move Kitty gave a deep curtsy like she’d seen in the movies. Following Laurie’s lead she took his arm and in an equally fake but playful accent Kitty said “Why it would be my pleasure good sir!” Her fake lady like look almost cracked as she stifled a giggle.Of all the boys in the school Kitty was glad it had been Laurie who decided to dance with her. Everyone else seemed so formal, and they would probably get annoyed if she made mistakes. But Laurie, she knew that he would be patient with her, and teach her what to do while keeping things fun. Yes, the purebloods were fun to talk with, but they did tend to get annoyed with her and she didn’t think they’d like teaching her something like this. Most of the time Kitty didn’t even think of Laurie as a pureblood, he was just Laurie to her, perfect fun always.
“Well, I have no idea what I’m doing but we’ll have fun doing it!” Kitty whispered with a grin, it was half apology half good humor. Her laughing blue eyes gazed up at him as she got into the starting pose, completely comfortable with the contact and exited to learn how to Waltz.
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Kitty
Happily learning a new skill
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Kitty
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Laurie
September 18, 2011 4:34 PM
Happily relearning a skill by Laurie
Laurie was glad that Kitty went with his ruse, she curtsied and talked in a fake accent. Excellent, this was going to be awesome. He just hoped Professor Fawcett and Coach Pierce didn’t mind their fooling around while the rest of the students learned how to dance. The redhead didn’t mind teaching Kitty himself if he needed to, he preferred to continue with his fun, and worry (like he ever did that) about dancing later. He was more than capable of teaching the basics to Kitty it was just a matter of focusing long enough to do so. He bowed again, “Lovely, My Lady. Just lovely.” If he had tried this with any Pureblood girl, she would have scowled and told him out with his parents. Apparently Pureblood girls didn’t have a very good sense of humor, and the Teppenpaw got bored with them rather quickly.He smiled at Kitty, “It will certainly is.” His response to her statement was accompanied with his fake overdramatic accent. He was going to practice it for the length of the dancing class, practice made perfect and he was going to rock out at the Ball. He could hardly wait for it to happen. His mother had told him to owl him the next day with everything that had happened. She had been opposed to him attending a school out of State. Laurie was the oldest and his mother had anxiety issues when it came to being away from him. Lawrence didn’t think it was a big deal, he was having a blast at Sonora, and he wouldn’t change it for anything.
The Teppenpaw got into position, his left hand on Kitty’s waist and his right hand grasping her hand. “Okay, let’s commence this,” he said very formally. “A fair warning, My Lady. I know how to dance, but I am not that good at it,” he grinned. It was true; he had never been very graceful while dancing. Preston was better, but his cousin always had to be better at everything.
“Let’s commence!” Laurie stepped forward with his left foot, just like he had been instructed by Coach Pierce and the countless Dance Coaches he had known through his life. He took the step to the side and he stepped on Kitty’s foot! “Sorry!” his accent was gone for the first time during the class. “Are you okay?” his green eyes looked at her, worry clearly reflected on them.
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Laurie
Happily relearning a skill
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Laurie
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Kitty
September 20, 2011 7:32 PM
A few bumps along the way, but lots of laughs too by Kitty
Sparkling blue eyes gazed up at him full of fun and good humor “Let’s shall!” She said mimicking his accent playfully once they were in the proper position. And with a cry of let’s commence from Laurie he stepped forward, squarely on Kitty’s foot. “Oww!” Kitty yelped at the sudden pain. More out of surprise really, for some reason she thought that all magic kids would be aces at dancing.Laurie’s quick apology and worried gaze made Kitty squeeze his hand reassuringly. “No worries dear boy no worries.” Kitty continued in a rich old Dame voice her sky blues twinkling with suppressed laughter. Kitty wasn’t one to fear a little pain. Or even a lot of pain in the right circumstances. Like the time she carefully stitched together a parachute out of three bed sheets then climbed up the six foot fence, and from there to the roof. She still remembered that glorious moment, realizing now that it was probably magic at the time when the cloth seemed to hold for the span of half a minute before gravity won. Two sprained ankles, and being grounded for a month was totally worth those thirty breathless wonderful seconds.
While dancing probably wasn’t on par with taking a leap of faith off her roof with nothing more than bed sheets between her and the hard ground, dancing with Laurie was still great fun. Being stepped on now and again was worth their game, and she knew that odds were fair she’d end up stepping on him before the day was done. With her eyes still laughing Kitty snapped in a prim voice reminiscent of a French ballet instructor “Again!”
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Kitty
A few bumps along the way, but lots of laughs too
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Kitty
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